Thought It Was ‘The End’, Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 7. Villains Are Meant To Be (9)

 

A villain is originally a role that exists to make the protagonist stand out.

 

They are the protagonist’s shadow, their antithesis, a device that creates conflict to highlight the protagonist’s charm.

 

Originally, no matter how charming a protagonist might be, if no notable events occur, it won’t be conveyed to the readers.

 

Edelaine decided to focus her thoughts on that role.

 

The female protagonist is Saint Genevieve.

 

The villainess existed as the antithesis of the female protagonist’s personality, background, and abilities.

 

One might ask if having similar appearances was at least a good point, but that’s absolutely not the case. It’s a device to show that while they may look alike on the outside, what’s inside is worlds apart from the protagonist.

 

If things had proceeded according to the novel, she would have been a child who tried to kill people just because she wasn’t loved, so her bad personality goes without saying, and the backgrounds of the villainess who had everything and the protagonist who had nothing were also complete opposites. Their abilities too.

 

Then what about the villain’s circumstances that Edelaine was currently searching for?

 

Though it was overly simple reasoning, Edelaine suspected that the villain might be someone standing at Shane’s antithesis.

 

‘Then the closest one would surprisingly be Lucian, wouldn’t it?’

 

If Lucian’s role hadn’t been to cooperate with the Saint as a supporting character, Edelaine would have long suspected him as the real villain.

 

But he wasn’t a mage.

 

A noble of Greenwinsor who stands at Shane’s antithesis.

 

Simply considering the conditions, he would be a regional noble. A smooth-talking playboy who’s poor rather than wealthy, and even as a noble, his power wouldn’t be particularly impressive.

 

‘Shane’s conditions are so overwhelming that the real villain’s conditions seem rather shabby…’

 

Perhaps someone trying to achieve their family’s revival or wealth and glory through their own abilities.

 

Or a crazy person who wishes for the world to completely perish.

 

‘I think I’ve seen all the noble faces who came up to Delmez at least once.’

 

She had also met almost everyone who was in the church sanctuary during the attack.

 

Most were middle-aged couples, and even after conducting background investigations using all of Lucian and Jeff’s connections, not even a trace of a mage came up.

 

There were also six young people. Four of them were men, and half of those were married.

 

None of them showed any particular peculiarities.

 

If there had been something in the first place, it couldn’t have failed to come up in Lucian and Jeff’s background investigations.

 

Thinking she might learn something if she saw their faces, she went around and met them all personally, but even after making eye contact and greeting each one, there had been no results so far.

 

Unexpectedly gaining popularity was a bonus.

 

‘But with today, I’ve met all the people on the list of suspected mages that Jeff compiled. There are no more likely suspects, so what should I do…’

 

Genevieve had been attacked twice.

 

The mage was definitely nearby.

 

Genevieve had instantly purified and freed the person the mage had controlled with hypnosis, and the mage would know this better than anyone. Genevieve would surely become increasingly dangerous.

 

‘Would they just leave it at that?’

 

Don’t you dare lay a finger on Genevieve…

 

She had met everyone she could meet and made every effort she could.

 

Though she felt like becoming Genevieve’s maid and staying by her side 24 hours a day, there was no point in being anxious.

 

Now was the time to wait. For the mage to reveal themselves more. To drop clues.

 

‘His Highness Edwin is also staying close, so it should be fine for the time being…’

 

However, Edelaine was underestimating the protagonist’s life.

 

That the protagonist exists at the center of all incidents and accidents, and makes all surrounding characters get swept up in them.

 

The commotion started from the center of the hall where the banquet was being held.

 

The floor glowed faintly, then a magic circle the size of a human palm was completed.

 

And like a camel popping out of a needle’s eye, a monster emitting a terrible stench was summoned.

 

Gwaeaek! Gurrrrreuk!

 

The ear-splitting screech was a bonus.

 

Thanks to being on the stairway landing heading to the second floor to talk with Shane, Edelaine was able to safely witness the monster summoning scene firsthand.

 

Edelaine, who had never gone to uninhabited places even when hiding, was seeing a monster for the first time since being reborn.

 

Her first impression was that the reference photos had turned out quite well.

 

Nearly 3 meters tall with a body covered in thick muscles. Green skin glistening with filth, two protruding fangs, and yellow eyes. It was a disgusting monster.

 

Shane whispered in her ear.

 

“It’s called an Ogre, Edelaine.”

 

“Ah, I see… why are you here?”

 

Edelaine blinked as she discovered Shane watching the people screaming and running away.

 

“Then where should I be?”

 

“Well, you should be protecting or saving people…”

 

Shane took her hand.

 

“That’s something the knights and soldiers will handle.”

 

His face was truly indifferent.

 

Then Edwin and Genevieve approached. Genevieve grabbed Edelaine’s arm while breathing heavily.

 

“Lady Edelaine, are you alright?”

 

“Yes. I’ve been here talking with Shane for a while. You’re not hurt anywhere, are you, Genevieve?”

 

“No. Thanks to being with His Highness Edwin, I was a top priority for protection.”

 

“Even without me, you’re a top priority for protection. You keep forgetting your own status.”

 

Edwin continued.

 

“We’ll need to investigate later why that thing appeared, but about three knights should be enough to kill one Ogre, so it’s not that big a deal. Well… if someone who’s busy holding his wife’s hand would step up, it would be resolved quickly.”

 

“If you command it, I’ll consider it.”

 

Even to the sarcastic words and glances, Shane replied with a tone devoid of any enthusiasm.

 

It wouldn’t be difficult to subdue one Ogre with just the personnel deployed in the hall. But being annoyed was a separate matter. He was about to make a sarcastic remark when the Ogre behind them let out a screech, cutting off his words.

 

“How dare you when His Highness the Crown Prince is speaking.”

 

Edwin said to himself.

 

Groooook! Kueeeeeee, eok!

 

“Wait, catch it! It’s targeting the Saint!”

 

“Block it!”

 

The Ogre that had been restrained with chains went on a rampage and stared straight at Genevieve.

 

Monsters have no intelligence. They devour humans and harbor hostility and aggression toward humans. However, they cannot distinguish between humans. Targeting a different individual while ignoring those attacking it would be impossible unless it was being controlled.

 

Though the knights had managed to bind the Ogre with chains and barely hold it back, the monster paid them no mind and only glared at Genevieve with its yellow eyes. Its eyes gleamed with madness.

 

Edelaine hit Shane’s arm.

 

“What are you doing? Hurry up and do something!”

 

“I don’t want to.”

 

“Shane Blancarde!”

 

“I’m not a child who gets scared when you call my name. I won’t be intimidated just because you add my surname, Edelaine.”

 

Shane twisted his lips mischievously.

 

“Is this the time to fight? My ears are going to fall off. Hurry up and do something about that thing!”

 

“In my experience, when chaos breaks out, I never see good results if I leave your side.”

 

“Am I crazy enough to get involved in that? I know my life is precious too.”

 

“I wasn’t so sure about that.”

 

“Chaos comes in different types. I’m good at knowing my place, you know? What I hate most is getting involved where I don’t belong.”

 

That’s why I’ve been making constant efforts not to get between you and the female lead all this time. Edelaine wisely swallowed her following words.

 

A brief standoff continued.

 

After a while, Shane let out a small sigh. His blue eyes, mixed with dissatisfaction and anxiety, fell downward. He reluctantly pressed his lips to the back of Edelaine’s hand that he was holding and spoke. His voice flowed out half-muffled against her skin.

 

“If you promise to stay put.”

 

“Alright, alright, so hurry…”

 

“If you break your promise, I’ll lock you up. Is that okay?”

 

“Go!”

 

Shane reluctantly took slow, leisurely steps. Going down to the first floor, he snatched a sword from a knight who was hesitantly blocking people’s way.

 

“This is annoyingly troublesome.”

 

Edwin said irritably. The subject who said he’d consider his command moved his body just because Edelaine glared at him a little. Still, now that Shane had stepped up, the situation would be resolved quickly.

 

Genevieve tugged at Edelaine’s arm and whispered quietly in her ear.

 

“Lady Edelaine, by any chance.”

 

“You’re probably right.”

 

Edwin cast a glance.

 

“You seem to have some idea?”

 

“Your Highness, don’t try to test people when you have your own suspicions. Genevieve, come behind me.”

 

“Genevieve?”

 

However, when Genevieve didn’t budge, Edwin also called her name while examining her expression.

 

Genevieve looked at Edelaine with a thoughtful face, then at the Ogre glaring at her. Sensing some premonition, Edelaine grabbed Genevieve’s wrist.

 

“Don’t. Don’t do anything!”

 

“Lady Edelaine…”

 

“Shane will take care of it. Let’s wait.”

 

Shane raised his sword. He easily sliced off the Ogre’s arm as it charged toward Genevieve, cutting through it like cheese.

 

People cheered, and Shane positioned himself to strike the neck in one blow, looking very annoyed.

 

Genevieve clasped Edelaine’s hand and spoke. Her violet eyes were hazy.

 

“I think I can do it.”

 

“Don’t, you’ll just become a target.”

 

“A target…”

 

Genevieve laughed as if deflated.

 

“I’m used to that. More importantly, I need to show that this kind of tactic won’t work. This is already the third time.”

 

Warmth spread from their clasped hands.

 

Her profile, looking straight ahead, showed a determination to see it through.

 

There are moments like that. Moments when you face something you absolutely must accomplish.

 

Edelaine unconsciously tightened her grip on the hand she held.

 

“You can do it. I know you can.”

 

“Yes. I can do it.”

 

Genevieve seemed to smile.

 

A burst of light like none she had ever seen exploded.

 

The light swallowing the Hall and the Ogre’s head falling to Shane’s strike happened almost simultaneously.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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